Carrier for fragile articles



Feb. 23, 1932. M. KOPPELMAN 1,846,561

CARRIER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed Nov. 23, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I H Hmlm. '2 suit a avwwwo'c Tlgzi W7" aznflo't alum, 9

M. KOPPELMAN CARRIER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Feb. 23, 1932.

Filed Nov, 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qwwewtoz atented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED TA MORRIS KOPPELMAN, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HOLED-TITE PACKING- CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CARRIER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Application filed November 23, 1927. Serial No. 235,180.

lhe improvements relate to devices for packing, carrying or otherwise transporting and holding eggs and other fragile articles. Devices of this character are commonly called carriers and usually consist of a box or carton in which the fragile articles are held and enclosed, and by which they are protected against breaking. The present invention, being in the nature of an improvement of the to subject-matter of copending application Se- I rial No. 190,408, filed May 11, 1927, provides a carrier of the aforementioned character which will effectively hold and protect the articles and may be used not only for the delivery and carrying of eggs in small quantities, but may be employed for the packing of them in crates of standard size, and may.

be used also, without a crate for shipping or mailing eggs in limited quantities.

The objects and advantages, among others, of the present improvements will be pointed out with respect to egg carriers, although attainedin equal degree when applied to other fragile articles; the construction of the carrier is such that it may be shipped, packed or stored empty as a flat sheet with the holders or recesses nested, so that the carriers will occupy a minimum of spaceand will protect one another against any shock or strain tending to crush or deform them; to adapt the said carrier to use in crates or boxes for the purpose of packing, positioning and protecting them therein; to enable the vendor or user in quantity to remove the eggs. from the crate in dozen or other lots, without handling them individually, examine them and/or exhibit them without removing them from the carrier and enable the purchaser in small quantities to safely carry them and kee on hand for consumption in the original pac ing; to form said carrier of a continuous piece of relatively yieldable sheet material having relatively rigid yet yielding cushion supports for the eggs as well as ironed or pressed portions for defining a relatively sturdy container construction presenting substantially smooth surfaces for the applica tion of emblems or lettering; and to provide firm yet yielding individual egg holders in 50 combination with a unitary stiff and strong wrapper or container for a number of them.

The improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan of a container or carton embodying one form of the improvements, in open position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical medial section of the same on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantially on the same line as that of Fig. 2 of the container in closed position;

Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the container or carton in closed position; and

Fig. 5 is an end view of a modified form in closed position.

The carton consists essentially of a continuous piece of sheet material having portions 1, 2 and 3 with connecting sections 4 and 5, all of these elements being integral, and formed in one operation, preferably by the pulp sucking or felting process in which floating fibres are drawn by suction against a screen in the manner described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,429,207 of September 12, 1922. The particular form of cup or holder is immaterial to the present improvements, but essentially consists of a bulged portion of the sheet itself." The type 7 herein illustrated comprises protuberances or recesses 6 with connecting and reinforcin ribs 7, separating and supporting domes and edges or flanges 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the sides of the container, all also made integral with the other parts in one and the same operation. This may be accomplished by so shaping the foraminous die or forming sheet that the pulp will assume the form of the complete container or box when it is deposited thereon. Coincident with this operation a blank for one or more suitable flaps or tongues 13 is formed on the flange 12, integral with the sheet. Folding lines 14, 14:, 24, 24, and 34.- may be suitably applied by scoring or may also be formed along the inner edge of each portion in the aforementioned operation by introducing wires on the pulp side of the form, so as to reduce the thickness of the pulp sheet deposited along the same. A die may also be used in forming these fold lines, e.

g colncident wlth the use of a cutting die for forming slits 18 and flaps 13, an indenting die may be simultaneously employed, so that the slits 18, flaps 13 and folding lines are all applied to the sheet in one operation.

he dividing and protecting ribs 7 project above the upper edges of the cups or holders 6 and above the substantially horizontal portions 1 to 5 and separate the cups and holders longitudinally and laterally.

The portions or domes 8 are located between cups 6 and the ends of the ribs 7 and serve to connect the ribs 7, hold the articles in position and greatly strengthen and add to the rigidity of the container. These portions 8 are dome shaped and project beyond the ribs 7 so that they form spacers and buffers between the cup-like holders when the sheet is folded.

The connecting section or hinge 5 is separated from portions 1 and 2 by the folding lines 14, 14, while connecting section or hinge 4 is separated from portions 2 and 3 by similar lines 24,24. Thus, when one portion is folded over the other, a complete enclosure is formed, section 5 forming one side, flange 11 and section 4 forming the opposite side in overlapping relation, while flanges 9 and 10 form the other two sides. The ends of the connecting sections 4 and 5 are not provided with flanges, so as to leave room for flanges 9, 11, forming the rim of portion 1, to pass over and overlap the flanges 10, 10 forming the rim of the other portion 2. The inner edges of the flanges 9 and 10 are preferably curved as shown at 9' and 10, so as to facilitate this telescopic operation.

While the portion or cover 3 may be dispensed with for some uses and the flange 11 and section 4 relnovably secured in any suitable manner, the present improvements preferably embody the cover portion 3 having the flange 12 separated therefrom by folding line 34. As heretofore indicated, flange 12 has one or more integral flaps or tongues 13, two being shown in the present form. Connecting section 5 is provided with slots 18, not necessarily but preferably in the fold line 14 adjacent portion 1. When the elements 1, 2, 4 and 5 are in folded relation as set forth above, the connecting section 4, being substantially twice the width of section 5, as clearly seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, terminates at or slightly above the plane of the bottom of recesses 6 in portion 1, cover portion 3 is then folded along line 24 over the cups or recesses of portion 1, and flange 12 carrying flaps 13 is folded along line 34 in the direction of section 5. Flaps or tongues 13 are then passed into slots 18 where they function to hold cover 3 in place by means of teeth 13'.

It will be seen that in this position the domes 8 form posts or supports of a firm yet somewhat yielding character interposed between the rows of holding cups to space them and maintain them in proper position and protect the articles therein.

The provision of this cover portion 3 as Well as elements 4, 12 and'13 affords a protection against shock to the cups or holders 6, as well as the articles supported therein. This improvement presents a more sturdy container for the reason that the cover portion 3 as it is supported by elements 4, 12 and '5 and in spaced relation to portion 1, has a cushioning effect for the reception of shocks by reason of the air pockets formed between cover 3, portion 1 and cups 6. The presence of this feature contributes materially to the protective characteristic of the container, when packed in crates with like containers above same, as well as in the event that the container is dropped.

As aforementioned the material utilized in the container is a relatively yieldable pulp sheet formed of matted fibres. This material has proven to be very eflicient in the trade, due, among others, to its sturdy yet yielding characteristics. However, such material, due to its unfinished surfaces does not lend itself readily to stamping or lettering. The present improvements provide therefore for this deficiency. The connecting sections 5, 4, cover 3, flange 12 and flaps 13 are pressed, rolled or ironed so as to present smooth surfaces for the application of any desired caption, emblem or lettering by printing or stamping. In attaining this end, the fibres of the material are further pressed and matted, tending to stiffen and strengthen the portions so treated. This pressing operation therefore contributes greatly to the sturdiness of the container and affords further protection to the holders and articles therein.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 embodies further features of strength and sturdiness.

In this form a single sheet of material is also employed, but the cover portion is extended to entirely surround the article holding portions. In place of the flange 12, the cover portion 3 has united therewith a connecting section 19, second cover portion 20 and flange 21 having flaps or tongues 22. Suitable folding lines 23 are provided as indicated in Fig. 5. In this embodiment slots 18 are dispensed with and similar slots 28, to receive flaps 22 are provided in section 4. This modification is shown completely folded in Fig. 5, reference to which will disclose its advantages.

As described with respect to the pre'ierred form, all. those parts of the sheet exclusive of the portions 1 and 2 having depressions or recesses, are ironed or pressed to stiffen and mat the fibres as well as to present smooth surfaces for stamping or lettering. Vith the parts 3, 4, 5, 19, 20 and 21 thus stiffened and strengthened, a sturdy container for the article-holding portions results. The provision of this complete enclosure insures protection for the portions 1, 2, holders 6 and contents thereof against shock from all sides. Furthermore, when packedin crates, with similar containers on all sides these elements 3, 4, 19, 20 and 21 have a yielding or cushion effect in their resistance to external pressure or shock, which resistance is augmented by the presence of air pockets as hereinbefore described.

It is to be remembered that this form is likewise made of a single piece of material and when spread out in unfolded form may be nested with others above and below it as gully described with respect to the perferred orm.

Although flanges have been omitted from cover portions 3 and 20, it is understood that they may be provided on each side of said cover portions, similar to flanges 9 and 10, for providing ends for the container structure. Furthermore, flanges 9, 10 and 11 and sections 4 and' 5 may be omitted in the preferred embodiment, and a single fold line used between portions 1 and 2.

It is apparentthat the provision of a fragile article holder and container therefor all in one continuous sheet of fibrous material is of great advantage, since the separate honeycomb elements, flats or excelsior pads of prior structures are obviated and the manual labor necessary in assembling a carton is reduced to a minimum. The material saving in labor is obvious, since heretofore packers had to unfold and open up fillers and boxes, and fit them together. Where several parts had thus to be fitted together, the present improvements provide the equivalent in a unitary structure, this being a great advantage tov the packer. Furthermore, a very convenient container has been evolved for display by the vendor, as well as for carriage by the consumer and use by him.

A neat and sturdy parcel is thus provided in which the consumer may keep merchandise on hand. While glass bulbs and similar fragile articles may also be packed and shipped in the improved structure with slight modification, it is apparent that the improvements afford a sturdy carton for shipping and marketing fruit. The cartons may be made in selected sizes to accommodate various grades, sizes and shapes of fruit. In this, as well as the egg trade, the custom of handling the merchandise between shipper and customer is obviated, and the fact that the ultimate consumer may be the first to actually handle the article since it was packed, is a sanitary feature which cannot'be too greatly emphasized.

What I claim is:

1. A packing unit for eggs and other fragile articles comprising a continuous piece of sheet material having fold lines defining cover portions and article-receiving portions, each of the latter having concave recesses for supporting fragile articles and semiin each portion so that when folded said recesses and spacers are face to face with said spacers substantially contacting.

2. A packing unit for eggs and other fragile articles comprising a continuous sheet of material having at least three portions adapted to be folded one upon the. other, two portions having unbroken article-receiving means formed therein, a third portion when folded, covering at least one of the aforementioned portions and means integral with said third portion for removably securing same in covering relation.

3. A packing unit as set forth claim 2 having dome shaped spacers formed in said portions adjacent said article-receiving means.

4. A packing unit for eggs and other fragile articles comprising a continuous piece of sheet material having two article-receiving portions and a cover portion, the former having recesses formed therein, said cover portion, when folded, .covering but one of said first mentioned portions, and means for removably securing said cover portion in covering relation.

5. In a device of the character described, a sheetpf relatively yieldable material having portions adapted to be folded and to form a receptacle for fragile articles, one of the portions of said sheet having articleholding recesses of the same material, the remaining portions comprising the sides of a unitary carton adapted to be nested with other similarly formed sheets above and below same, said sheet being made of relatively yieldable unfinished pulp material and one of said remainin portions being finished.

6. In a device of t e character described, a sheet of unfinished relatively yieldable pulp material adapted to be folded to form a receptacle for fragile articles, a portion of said sheet having article-receiving recesses formed therein of the sheet material and another portion being ironed or pressed adapted to receive lettering.

7 A packing unit for eggs and other fragile articles comprising a continuous sheet of material having a foldline defining articlereceiving portions, said portions having recesses for receiving fragile articles, upstanding ribs extending longitudinally and laterally between said recesses and dome-shaped members formed in said portions and protruding beyond said ribs.

8. Packing means for eggs and other frag- ,ile articles comprising complementary portions of sheet material superimposed face to face, said portionshaving complementary recesses for receiving fragile articles, upstanding ribs extending longitudinally and laterally between said recesses, and domeshaped members formed in said portions and protruding beyond said ribs.

spherical spacers all symmetrically arranged 9. A container for eggs and the like having an egg receiving portion with cup-like members integral with and extending in one direction from said portion, spaced individual post-like spacers associated with each member and protruding fromsaid portion in an opposite direction from and beyond the plane of said cup-like members, and a complementary portion having similar cuplike members and spacers similarly disposed, overlying and in registry with the members of said first named portion whereby engagement of said spacers causes complementary recesses to be spaced from each other.

Witness my hand this 1st day of November, 1927, at the city of New York, in the county and State of New York.

MORRIS KOPPELMAN. 

